Santos Khoury LLC

What are the major trends shaping the legal industry today?The legal industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Technology is reshaping how we manage cases, communicate with clients, and conduct research. Artificial intelligence and automation are making legal work more efficient, especially in document review and immigration form processing. At the same time, there’s growing demand for firms to offer more accessible and client-centered services, including virtual consultations, flat-fee options, and multilingual support, especially in immigration law. There’s also a stronger push for diversity, inclusion, and equity within the legal profession itself.

How do you balance client advocacy with legal ethics?Our first responsibility is to the truth and the law. At Santos Khoury, we fiercely advocate for our clients—especially those who are vulnerable, such as asylum seekers or individuals facing deportation—but always within the bounds of professional ethics. We make sure our clients understand what’s legally possible and what’s not. Sometimes that means having hard conversations, but we believe that honest guidance builds trust and leads to better outcomes.

What’s been a defining moment in your legal career? One of the most defining—and emotional—moments in my legal career was representing a young family seeking asylum in the U.S. The parents had fled brutal violence in their home country, carrying nothing but their documents, their children, and the hope for safety. Their two kids were very young—one just starting to speak, the other barely old enough to understand what was happening. They hadn’t even begun to live their lives yet.

The parents spoke almost no English and were terrified of the legal system. They didn’t know if they would be believed—or even allowed to stay together. Every court date was filled with fear and uncertainty. We spent months gathering evidence, translating documents, and helping them relive deeply traumatic events in order to build the strongest possible case.

I remember sitting with them the night before their hearing, seeing the exhaustion and fear in their eyes, and promising that we would fight with everything we had. That moment wasn’t just a legal win—it was the start of a new life for a family who had already endured more than most of us can imagine.

It reminded me why this work matters. Immigration law isn’t just about rules and paperwork. It’s about protecting human dignity and giving people a chance to live without fear.

How is technology impacting legal research and case management?Technology has made legal research faster and more precise. With tools like AI-powered databases, we can quickly identify relevant case law and trends in immigration rulings. Case management systems also help us stay organized, automate reminders, and keep client files secure and accessible. For a busy immigration firm, this means we can spend more time on strategy and client support—and less on paperwork.

What are the biggest challenges facing lawyers today?One of the biggest challenges is staying ahead of constant legal and policy changes, especially in immigration, where the rules shift frequently depending on political leadership. Lawyers are also expected to do more with fewer resources, and clients increasingly expect fast, tech-enabled services. Balancing workload, mental health, and client expectations is an ongoing challenge for many in the profession.

How do you mentor the next generation of legal professionals?We believe mentoring is a responsibility, not a choice. At Santos Khoury, we take time to train interns, junior attorneys, and law clerks, not just in the law, but in empathy, cultural sensitivity, and client communication. We model how to be both effective and ethical advocates, and we share our own experiences as children of immigrants to help them understand the importance of this work on a personal level.

What advice would you give to someone considering law as a career?Ask yourself why you want to practice law. If it’s just for prestige or money, this field can be very unforgiving. But if you care about justice, helping others, and solving complex problems, law can be incredibly rewarding. Stay curious, work hard, and surround yourself with mentors who challenge and support you. And don’t underestimate the value of empathy. It’s one of the most powerful tools a lawyer can have.